DoT has rescinded a proposal to provide subsidy without a bidding process for setting up rural telecom infrastructure. Prior to a meeting with DoT, the telecom operators had opted for one out of five DoT models, wherein the government would provide funds to set up active (base tower stations and power) and passive (land and towers) infrastructure without bidding. As per the proposal, a maximum of three operators could use a tower that was to be erected with support from the Universal Service Obligation Fund. The model, however, required TRAI to step in to work out a predetermined fixed subsidy for putting the infrastructure in place. But DoT officials said the government would not be able to extend support without a bidding process.
